Llamacoids / Lamacoid FAQ / Size chart
Lamacoid size chart. What size for each job.
The standard lamacoid is 1" × 3", with one or two lines of 1/4" or 3/16" text. Breaker tags are usually 1/2" × 2", panel labels 2" × 4", nameplates 3" × 5" and large warning plates 4" × 6". Most tags are 1/16" thick. Any other size can be cut, in inches or millimetres.
Email your tag listBuild and price a tag289-275-9572By Jake Reid, owner of Llamacoids Inc. Jake quotes every order and runs the engraving shop at 1550 Yorkton Court in Burlington. Updated 1 November 2026.
What size is a standard lamacoid tag?
1" × 3" is the most common size we cut. It holds one or two lines of 1/4" or 3/16" text, which covers most panel names, disconnects and equipment tags. If you are not sure what size you need, start there and check it against the space on the equipment.
What size lamacoid for each job?
These are the sizes most orders start from. Any size in between works, and the builder takes a custom width and height.
| Job | Typical plate | Typical letters |
|---|---|---|
| Breaker tag, one short line beside a breaker | 1/2" × 2" | 1/8" |
| Standard tag: panel name, disconnect, device | 1" × 3" | 1/4" or 3/16" |
| Disconnect plate on a rooftop unit | 3" × 1" | 1/4" |
| Panel label: name, voltage and fed-from | 2" × 4" | 1/4" |
| Equipment nameplate with a few lines of detail | 3" × 5" | Sized to fit |
| Warnings, directories and diagrams | 4" × 6" | 3/8" headings |
| Valve tag: number and short service name | 2" × 2" | Sized to fit |
| Valve tag with a longer description | 2" × 3" or 3" × 3" | Sized to fit |
| Office door or desk name plate | 2" × 8" or 2" × 10" | Sized to fit |
Letter heights in this table are starting points for high-contrast engraving. If a drawing or spec gives a minimum character height, that number wins.
How thick is a lamacoid?
1/16" (1.6 mm) is the everyday thickness for panel tags, breaker tags and labels that mount flush. 1/8" gives a stiffer plate for larger sizes, standalone plates and hanging tags. If your specification calls for a particular thickness or grade, send it with the order and it gets confirmed before engraving.
What letter height do I need?
Pick the letter height from how far away the tag will be read, then size the plate to hold the wording. 1/8" letters read at arm's length, 1/4" from 2 to 3 metres, 3/8" from 3 to 5 metres and 1/2" from 5 to 7 metres.
| Letter height | Read from about | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8" (3 mm) | Arm's length | Breaker tags, terminal and device IDs inside a panel |
| 3/16" (5 mm) | 1 to 2 m | Legend plates, second lines, small equipment tags |
| 1/4" (6 mm) | 2 to 3 m | Panel IDs, disconnects, MCC buckets |
| 3/8" (10 mm) | 3 to 5 m | Main headings, solar warning plates, switchgear sections |
| 1/2" (13 mm) | 5 to 7 m | Equipment names seen across a room |
| 3/4" to 1" (19 to 25 mm) | 7 m and up | Room, tank and large equipment ID |
One spec to know: the solar PV warning sign under CEC Rule 64-200 needs letters at least 9.5 mm tall, so 3/8" is the natural choice. The letter height guide covers layout tips.
What size are legend plates?
Legend plates are sized around the device, and a 22 mm or 30 mm pushbutton is the usual starting point. The nominal device size is not the whole drawing, though. The plate's outside shape, the opening, the retaining hardware and the space between neighbouring controls all decide whether it fits. See legend plates for what to send.
What is the smallest and largest lamacoid?
Half an inch tall is a practical minimum for one legible line of engraving. At the other end, plates are cut from 24" × 24" sheets of laminate, so anything close to that size is worth a phone call first. Between the two, any width and height works.
How do I measure for a replacement lamacoid?
Measure the outside width and height, then the hole diameter and the distance between hole centres. Send those with a straight-on photo of the old plate. The photo shows what it looks like; the measurements make sure the new one fits the holes that are already there.
- Width and height, with units.
- Hole diameter and centre-to-centre spacing, or "adhesive" if there are no holes.
- Colour, background first.
- Anything that has to match: text height, thickness, layout.
More questions
What size are breaker lamacoids?
Usually 1/2" × 2" with 1/8" letters, sized to sit beside a breaker.
What size should a valve tag be?
A 2" × 2" tag carries a number and a short service name that reads from arm's length. Larger valves or longer descriptions use 2" × 3" or 3" × 3".
Can I order a custom size?
Yes. Every plate is cut to the size you specify. Enter a custom width and height in inches or millimetres in the Lamacoid Builder, or put it on your tag list.
